Meet The Chair of Bronx CB7

Adaline Walker Santiago, M.A.

Adaline Walker Santiago, M.A. who graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s Degree and Lehman College with a double major in Psychology and Sociology with Departmental Honors in Education, has been an advocate for the Bronx Community for over 30 Years. Prior to becoming a Board Member in 2011 and elected Vice Chair in 2013, Adaline professionally worked for the Federal, State and City Levels of Education, which included: 1) NYC Department of Education as the Assistant Deputy Chancellor; 2) Bronx Head Start Director; and 3) Bilingual Educational Supervisor at Manhattan Children’s Psychiatric Center

Adaline serves on various Advisory Council Committees, and attends meetings with external partners serving as an interface between the council and the community. And, uniquely interfaces between the council and community by listening to various viewpoints and concerns, then communicates the information to the councils and diligently works toward a common understanding. Moreover, she ensures the integrity of the community board when representing the community privately and publicly and actively seeks good quality information, to remain well informed about community priorities, broader issues and local initiatives.

In fact, under her leadership she was instrumental in creating the First Veterans Services Committee. On May 26, 2015, she successfully organized the First Historic NYC Public Forum on K2 “Synthetic Marijuana” and a prestigious panel of experts in both the medical and legal field to address this matter. Recently, both Public Health Systems and North Central Bronx Hospital recognized her for successfully advocating with the Community Board to address reopening the Labor and Delivery Unit of North Central Bronx Hospital was reopened to serve the community.

Adaline is most noted for working effectively with community advocates, city department leaders and the Elected Officials on investigations, educational outreach, and the attainment of future rehabilitation’s services and legislation regarding the sale and distribution illegal substances of any kind. Added to her long list of successes, and her specialties are: Media Outreach; Government Liaison; Public Speaking; Strategic Negotiator; Networking and Community Relations.

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April 8, 2017, facilitated First CB 7 Women’s Empowerment Summit at Lehman with over 55 organizations and 17 prestigious leaders which included: Public Advocate, Deputy Borough President, Bronx District Attorney and Bronx Parks Commissioner and Chairs of CB7 Committees.

February 8, 2017, Made a presentation at the NYC Health and Hospitals/North Central Bronx ceremony with other elected officials when acclaimed, “Baby Friendly Designation Hospital.”

Initiated and developed the leadership for First Adhoc Veterans Services Committee – May 2, 2016 “Bronx Borough President gave a Proclamation for forming the Veterans Committee “to serve in the advisory capacity striving to enrich and enhance the quality of life for Veteran’s…”

The Veterans Committee was voted in by the Board, as a full standing committee. June 19, 2015

Established and expanded Science Schools Scholarships Initiative in an effort to prepare MS 80 students for entry into a Specialized High School

Collaborated with local residents, local businesses and city agencies to mitigate construction issues to improve quality of life concerns

Spearheaded the first Veterans & Community Job Fair attracting over 1,300 attendees with the collaboration of the Bronx Library Center, Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Bronx Borough Presidents Office of Community Relations and the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. Acknowledged by the Borough President with a Certificate of Merit.

April 29, 2015 recognized with the Marshall England Memorial Public Health Award from the Commission of Public Health Systems for “Putting the public back in public health” for collectively mobilizing community support for the re-establishment of the Labor & Delivery Unit at NCB.

Initiated and developed the leadership for First Adhoc Veterans Services Committee

The Veterans Committee was voted in by the Board, as a full standing committee. June 19, 2015

Pushed to co-name a street after Margaret J. Mack

Highlighted the growing trend of synthetic marijuana use

Taking developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center to task

Ensured The Stagg Group adhered to developing mixed housing on Webster Avenue

Brought CB7 leadership together with key City officials, residents, businesses to address concerns

Advocated for major capital improvements to increase energy-efficient apartments to improve area quality of life

Spearheaded and expanded Science Schools Initiative Prep Program in an effort to prepare MS 80 students for entry into a Specialized High School (Received $900,000 in Full Scholarships)

Collaborated with local residents, local businesses and city agencies to mitigate construction issues to improve quality of life concerns

Chaired Community Relations Long Term Planning Committee and Inter-Governmental Relations – worked on a long term initiative with elected officials, the health department of NYC and members to have Old Fordham library as a possible Community Center for families and youth.

Initiated and developed the leadership for First Adhoc Veterans Services Committee

The Veterans Committee was voted in by the Board, as a full standing committee. June 19, 2015

Pushed to co-name a street after Margaret J. Mack

Highlighted the growing trend of synthetic marijuana use

Taking developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center to task

Ensured The Stagg Group adhered to developing mixed housing on Webster Avenue

Brought CB7 leadership together with key City officials, residents, businesses to address concerns

Advocated for major capital improvements to increase energy-efficient apartments to improve area quality of life

Spearheaded and expanded Science Schools Initiative Prep Program in an effort to prepare MS 80 students for entry into a Specialized High School (Received $900,000 in Full Scholarships)

Collaborated with local residents, local businesses and city agencies to mitigate construction issues to improve quality of life concerns

Chaired Community Relations Long Term Planning Committee and Inter-Governmental Relations – worked on a long term initiative with elected officials, the health department of NYC and members to have Old Fordham library as a possible Community Center for families and youth.

June 22nd, 2017: ‘Proposed Self-Storage Zoning Text Amendment” – In this case only the following Community Boards are affected in this proposal which includes the following CD’s: 1,2,3,4,6,9,10,12. Therefore, when the vote is given on July 12, 2017 at the next Borough Board Meeting, I will be abstaining. This information was shared at our Housing Committee on June 21, 2017, where that was agreed upon.

June 22nd, 2017: Presentation by Project Director, DOT on the NYC Smart Truck Management Plan. The Director agreed to present using PowerPoint presentation during the fall Traffic and Transportation Committee meeting. This Information has been posted on the Traffic & Transportation Committee Page for Board Members who would like to address any concerns or submit recommendations to the DOT.

Several communities across the New York State to develop and implement innovative plans to reduce poverty as part of the The Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative is a very important opportunity for individuals who live in, love, and support the Bronx to build on our strengths and combat poverty.

In the coming weeks the Children’s Aid Society will convene a task force of Bronx community members who will identify high-need areas, focus on common problems, and develop solutions that ensure Bronx families have what they need, to be successful. As Chair, I am recommending that we arrange a meeting very soon with board members and residents of the community who you may know, who may want to help with the planning of how to address the poverty issues of our community.

The data presented shows that our area is the fifth from the top of all the Community Districts with the highest levels of poverty. They were looking to address only the top 4 community boards and I requested in the meeting for them to reconsider including offering the program when developed, to Community District 7, (see page entitled: CEO Poverty Rates by Community District Neighborhood 2010-2014). If you notice, the highest level is the CD Morrisania/Tremont area where they listed two CB districts together with a total of a 32.4% poverty rate whereas, we have a 28.1% poverty rate and we are listed alone. In my opinion that warrants our inclusion in this program of services.

Bronx CB7 has the most overcrowded school district in the Bronx and it may not have been considered in the measures of assessment of what determines the poverty level of a district; a family making about 25,000 a year with one child is different than one with 4 or 5 children. In addition, I shared that the Seniors are usually living below the poverty level and according to their data we have only 11,000+ in our district however, they need to take into consideration that we have new developments coming in and presently I know of one that within a half block radius near 198th Street that will soon house a great number of more seniors coming to live in that area alone.

In addition, many seniors are now living longer lives and they too are seeking to possibly work and that is another aspect to consider.

This matter is very crucial and recommend schedule a meeting to discuss further; especially, about demonstrating that we need the after school programs and work training programs, etc. it appears that they are considering to offer the districts of choice. The entire video presentation, comments will be shared and aired by BronxNet,

June 21, 2017: Land Use and Zoning Study ReportConsultant Paula Luria Caplan, and Housing and Land Use Committee agreed a copy of the Bronx CD 7 Land Use and Zoning Study, should also be sent to City Planning and local government officials.

June 22nd, 2017: Presentation by Project Director, DOT on the NYC Smart Truck Management Plan. The Director agreed to present using PowerPoint presentation during the fall Traffic and Transportation Committee meeting. Information has been posted on the Traffic & Transportation Committee Page, for Board Members address any concerns or recommendations to the DOT.

May 2017: District Cabinet Meeting Agenda
Developed Adhoc Website, Acknowledgement and Media Committee
Developed First Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit to address personal wellness, learn professional development skills, and discuss current issues impacting themselves, their families and their community.